The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy on Marital Satisfaction and Emotional Intimacy in Women Applying for Divorce
Keywords:
Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy, Marital Satisfaction, Emotional Intimacy, Women Applying for DivorceAbstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBCT) on marital satisfaction and emotional intimacy among women applying for divorce in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all women applying for divorce who referred to counseling centers and family courts in Tehran in 2025. Thirty participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data collection instruments included the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Walker and Thompson Emotional Intimacy Scale. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS version 26.
Findings: The findings indicated no significant differences between the two groups in the pre-test stage regarding marital satisfaction and emotional intimacy. However, significant improvements were observed in the experimental group during post-test and follow-up assessments compared to the control group. Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated significant effects of group, time, and group × time interaction on both marital satisfaction and emotional intimacy (P<0.001). Pairwise comparisons further confirmed the stability of treatment effects during the follow-up stage. These findings suggest that CBCT significantly improved marital satisfaction and emotional intimacy among women applying for divorce.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy, through modifying irrational beliefs, cognitive restructuring, communication skills training, and problem-solving strategies, is an effective intervention for improving marital relationships among women seeking divorce. This therapeutic approach can be utilized in family counseling centers and family courts to reduce marital conflicts, enhance emotional intimacy, and decrease the tendency toward divorce.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Arman, Fatemeh Azami, Negar Babaei, Kimia Ghanbari, Arsalan Barkat (Author)

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